Report No. 176

16. Amendment of section 23

In section 23 of the principal Act, for sub-section (1), the following sub-sections shall be substituted, namely:-

"(1) Within a period of time to be determined by the arbitral tribunal, the claimant shall state the facts in support of his claim, the points at issue and the relief or remedy sought, the respondent shall state his defence in respect of these particulars and the claimant may file his rejoinder, if any, and the parties shall abide by the time schedule so fixed by the arbitral tribunal, unless the tribunal extends the same.

(1A) The arbitral tribunal shall endeavour to expedite the arbitral process subject to such rules as may be made by the High Court in this behalf."